Financial help for students
- To encourage more people to enter ministry leadership training
- To encourage churches to more actively discern those with potential for full-time ministry
Purpose of the grant:
The Leadership Training Matching Grant (LTMG) is a program of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren (MB) Churches designed to encourage more people to enter ministry leadership training and encourage churches to more actively discern those with potential for full-time ministry.
How it works:
Graduate studies:
- The Canadian Conference partners with the local church, each providing 25% of tuition for MB Biblical Seminary students in any of the two locations (Winnipeg, Man.; Langley, B.C.) or for students in the graduate program of Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in Winnipeg. Students are responsible for the remaining 50% of their tuition costs.
- This grant does not limit eligibility for other scholarships; remaining funds may be applied to living expenses after tuition has been paid.
- The conference will rely almost entirely on the discernment process of the local church in determining a student’s eligibility for grant funding
Undergraduate studies:
- Applies to students in their final year of study at an MB undergraduate school intending to pursue pastoral ministry.
- The grant supports graduating students by matching their supporting church’s financial support up to $2,000.
- Future eligibility for LTMG funding for seminary studies will require a new application and discernment process.
- This grant does not limit eligibility for other scholarships; remaining funds may be applied to living expenses after tuition has been paid.
- The conference will rely almost entirely on the discernment process of the local church in determining a student’s eligibility for grant funding.
Eligible students*:
You must meet the following requirements:
- Be a member of an MB church in Canada for at least six months prior to the date of the application;
- Be active in volunteer or paid ministry in your local church;
- Be accepted as a degree-seeking student in a participating MB school;
- Achieve a passing grade in all courses funded and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5;
- Intend to pursue a pastoral ministry or a global mission assignment with the Mennonite Brethren upon graduation;
- Complete a discernment process with pastor (undergraduate students); complete a discernment process with congregation (graduate students).
- Submit a completed application.
*Some limitations apply.
The role of the supporting church:
The supporting church is expected to make the following commitments to the student:
- Identify the student through gift discernment;
- Publicly acknowledge to the congregation (i.e., announcement, bulletin, newsletter, etc.) the discernment process and affirm the call to ministry for the student.
- Make a commitment to support the student and provide for financial resources for a period of time as discussed with the student.
Personal profile:
Preparation for a discernment meeting is
critical. Basic self-awareness is necessary to adequately prepare. Contact the LTMG administrator at 1-888-669-6575 for a list of suggested tools and inventories.
Finding Leaders for Tomorrow’s Churches contains “The Qualities for Ministry Guide.” Use these resources in preparing your personal profile.
Your profile should include:
- a description of significant transition points in your life and how they have shaped you
- a description of church, school, and community activities with which you have been involved
- a description of your talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts
- personal reflections on your character
- a description of your personality
- your testimony
- a statement of your career goals and/or ministry objectives
- your resume
Typical process of application:
1. Student and local church review application package to confirm eligibility.
2. Local church and student complete:
a. A ministry discernment process
b. Their respective sections of the LTMG application
This can occur up to one year prior to beginning enrolment in the school. Applications for LTMG participation will be reviewed and approved once all required documentation has been submitted.
3. The conference will send copies of acceptance letter confirming LTMG approval to the student, their supporting church, and the participating school.
4. Student must submit a course schedule along with the completed Tuition Funding Details Form prior to the funding request deadlines. When allocating funds, full-time students will be given preference over part-time students; part-time funding requests are not guaranteed. Requests will be processed in the order in which they were received.
Participating schools:
The following educational institutions are participants in the LTMG program:
•MB Biblical Seminary: Winnipeg, Man.; Langley, B.C.; Fresno, Calif.
•École de théologie évangélique de Montréal—ETEM*: Montreal, Quebec
•Columbia Bible College*: Abbotsford, B.C.
•Bethany College*: Hepburn, Sask.
•CMU*: Winnipeg, Man.
*Undergraduate students must be in the final year of a degree program.
Funding request deadlines:
Fall Semester - August 26, 2011
Spring Semester - December 30, 2011
Summer Semester - April 13, 2012
Requests will be processed in the week following these dates.
Contact information
Information, supporting materials, and
applications are available from:
Canadian Conference of MB Churches
Rebekah Doerksen
Leadership Development
1-888-669-6575
